Safety Tips for Fire Prevention Week

Safety Tips for Fire Prevention Week

We're in the middle of Fire Prevention Week -- a time to promote education and awareness so you and your family are safe. Across the country each year, there are nearly 365,000 residential fires, causing more than $6 billion in property loss -- and an average of 2,400 fatalities.

We're in the middle of Fire Prevention Week -- a time to promote education and awareness so you and your family are safe.

Across the country each year, there are nearly 365,000 residential fires, causing more than $6 billion in property loss -- and an average of 2,400 fatalities.

It's the biggest disaster threat to American families -- fire.

Fast moving -- and potentially fatal -- a fire can change everything in an instant.

"Because you never know when it could happen to you," said Terre Haute Fire Chief Jeff Fisher.

That's why Fire Prevention Week is so important. And in Terre Haute, the education is all month long.

"We actually train less in October and we prevent more in October. We are going to schools and daycares daily, two and three times a day, to bring fire prevention to the kids," said Fisher.

And while these are the ones actually battling the blaze, fire is everyone's fight.

So be proactive -- instead of reactive, and don't just plan a safety escape, practice it.

"If the family is prepared and out of the house, they've done their job," said Fisher. "And then we can do our job and put the fire out."

And have common sense when it comes to candles and cooking.

Two of every five home fires start in the kitchen; nearly 35 percent of them because the stove was left unattended.

Loose clothing in the kitchen can also easily ignite, another reason to have a fire extinguisher nearby.

"They're a great tool," said Fisher. "If you have a small fire, a fire extinguisher can make the difference between life and death."

Because it just takes a couple of minutes to protect your family and home... or watch it all come down:

"Common sense saves lives."

You should also keep heating equipment cleaned and maintained.

And it's the time of the year to change the batteries in your smoke alarm.

If you need a detector, all Terre Haute City Firehouses have them on hand.

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